Pathwest J Block Mortuary Viewing Facility

The existing mortuary viewing facility located in the basement of J Block at the QE11 Medical Centre is aged and undersized for current use. The mortuary facility accommodates all bodies resulting from death within the hospital, all trauma victims as well as those required to be stored by the State Coroner.

The storage facilities of the mortuary are at peak load and required expansion to accommodate future needs. In addition there is an increasing need for families to view bodies immediately as part of their grieving process.

The facility provides a viewing facility at Ground Level and allows expansion of the existing cool storage at basement and space to be provided for anticipated storage requirements.

Located between J & K Blocks the new viewing facility is sited at Ground level within a landscaped courtyard providing a dignified atmosphere and approach for families to enter the building and allowing space within landscaped gardens for numerous groups to gather and grieve.

The Viewing Facility was designed to allow for a maximum amount of light, while allowing the users to feel like they were in a private space. Large windows flank the public areas, and the high ceilings with highlight windows create a spacious feel in the private grieving rooms.

The landscaping and external artwork was completed with the consultation of the local Aboriginal community to create welcoming private spaces for the users to take advantage of during their grieving process.

The Back of House area has seen an expansion of the cool and long term storage facility with an upgrade in operation equipment and monitoring services throughout. Offices were also provided, as well as a new x-ray facility.

Whilst the facility is a temporary solution which will be demolished to make way for the replacement Woman’s Hospital when this is brought to the campus, the building could be used for the next 20 years.